U.S. patent application number 12/582202 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-18 for wireless communication device, power saving method thereof, and packet filtering method therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Acer Incorpoated. Invention is credited to Yung-Shih Chi, Chuan-Ming Tsai.
Application Number | 20100290380 12/582202 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43068442 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100290380 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsai; Chuan-Ming ; et
al. |
November 18, 2010 |
Wireless Communication Device, Power Saving Method Thereof, and
Packet Filtering Method Therefor
Abstract
A wireless communication device, a power saving method thereof,
and a packet filtering method therefor are disclosed. The wireless
communication device includes a modem connected to a wireless
network system for receiving and transmitting packet data, and a
data processor for executing an application program to access
network services via the wireless network system. When the data
processor is entering to hibernate mode, network information
corresponding to the application program is generated, such as a
communication port number or an Internet Protocol (IP) address. The
modem then filters the received packet data based on the network
information. Only when communication port number or IP address
contained in the received packet data matches the network
information, the modem will wake up the data process to process the
received packet data. Therefore, the hibernation time of the data
processor is extended to effectively reduce the power consumed by
the wireless communication device.
Inventors: |
Tsai; Chuan-Ming; (Taipei
Hsien, TW) ; Chi; Yung-Shih; (Taipei Hsien,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Tolpin & Partners, PC
11 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 2900
Chicago
IL
60603
US
|
Assignee: |
Acer Incorpoated
Taipei County
TW
|
Family ID: |
43068442 |
Appl. No.: |
12/582202 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/72445 20210101;
Y02D 30/70 20200801; H04W 52/0251 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/311 |
International
Class: |
G08C 17/00 20060101
G08C017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 15, 2009 |
TW |
098116325 |
Claims
1. A wireless communication device for use with a wireless network
system, comprising: a modem being electrically connecting to the
wireless network system for receiving and/or transmitting at least
one packet data; and a data processor for executing an application
program to access a network service via the wireless network
system; wherein when a preset condition occurs, the data processor
generates network information corresponding to the application
program, and the modem filters the at least one packet data based
on the network information.
2. The wireless communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the network information comprises a communication port number or an
Internet Protocol (IP) address.
3. The wireless communication device as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the communication port number recorded in the network information
represents a communication port being used by the application
program in data transmission.
4. The wireless communication device as claimed in claim 3, wherein
the data processor executes an operating system (OS), and the OS
detects the communication port number being used by the application
program.
5. The wireless communication device as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the IP address recorded in the network information represents an IP
address of a remote server with which the application program
transmits data in the wireless network system.
6. The wireless communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the preset condition is that the data processor is entering to
hibernate mode.
7. The wireless communication device as claimed in claim 6, wherein
the modem determines whether to wake up the data processor based on
a result of filtering the at least one packet data.
8. The wireless communication device as claimed in claim 7, wherein
the modem wakes up the data processor to process the received
packet data when communication port number or IP address contained
in the received packet data matches the network information.
9. A packet filtering method applicable to a wireless communication
device, the wireless communication device including a modem for
receiving at least one packet data and a data processor for
executing an application program, the packet filtering method
comprising the following steps: determining whether a preset
condition occurs; generating a network information corresponding to
the application program when it is determined the preset condition
occurs; and using the modem to filter the at least one packet data
based on the network information.
10. The packet filtering method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
network information comprises a communication port number or an
Internet Protocol (IP) address.
11. The packet filtering method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
communication port number recorded in the network information
represents a communication port being used by the application
program in data transmission.
12. The packet filtering method as claimed in claim 11, when the
data processor executes an operating system (OS), further
comprising the following step using the OS to detect the
communication port number being used by the application
program.
13. The packet filtering method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
IP address recorded in the network information represents an IP
address of a remote server with which the application program
transmits data in the wireless network system.
14. The packet filtering method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
preset condition is that the data processor is entering to
hibernate mode; and the modem determines whether to wake up the
data processor based on a result of filtering the at least one
packet data.
15. A power saving method for a wireless communication device, the
wireless communication device including a modem for receiving at
least one packet data and a data processor for executing an
application program, the power saving method comprising the
following steps: determining whether the data processor is going to
hibernate mode; generating a network information corresponding to
the application program when it is determined the data processor is
going to hibernate mode; and using the modem to filter the at least
one packet data based on the network information and determining
whether to wake up the data processor based on a result of
filtering the packet data.
16. The power saving method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the
network information comprises a communication port number or an
Internet Protocol (IP) address.
17. The power saving method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
communication port number recorded in the network information
represents a communication port being used by the application
program in data transmission.
18. The power saving method as claimed in claim 17, when the data
processor executes an operating system (OS), further comprising the
following step: using the OS to detect the communication port
number being used by the application program.
19. The power saving method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the IP
address recorded in the network information represents an IP
address of a remote server with which the application program
transmits data in the wireless network system.
20. The power saving method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
modem wakes up the data processor to process the received packet
data when communication port number or IP address contained in the
received packet data matches the network information.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication
device, a power saving method thereof, and a packet filtering
method therefor; and more particularly to a wireless communication
device that includes a modem capable of filtering received packet
data, so as to extend the hibernation time of main processor of the
wireless communication device and accordingly reduce the power
consumption of the wireless communication device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various kinds of new generation wireless communication
system have become very popular among people now, allowing users
not only to wirelessly communicate with one another, but also
access Internet at any time and any place with higher bandwidth
through a wireless communication device to browse web pages or
enjoy network services. Since the currently available wireless
communication devices are provided with more and more functions,
and the frequency users operate the wireless communication devices
is higher than ever before, most users tend to encounter
insufficient battery power of the wireless communication devices
and accordingly relatively short operable time thereof.
[0003] Generally, user does not operate the wireless communication
device all the time. In the case of a conventional wireless
communication device that provides only the phone call function, a
processor of the wireless communication device will go to a
hibernation mode when the user does not make or receive phone
calls. While receiving an incoming call a modem thereof will wake
up the processor to execute a corresponding application program to,
for example, display the caller's name, and output a corresponding
ring signal and/or show a corresponding image indicating an
incoming call. However, in the case of a wireless communication
device that also provides the function of accessing Internet
wirelessly, the wireless communication device may keep receiving
packet data from a remote server even when the user is currently
not using or viewing the wireless services, and the processor of
the wireless communication device in the hibernation mode is then
waken up to process the received packet data. The hibernation mode
for the processor can reduce the power consumption of the wireless
communication device and is a very common scheme of power saving
for most wireless communication devices.
[0004] However, while connecting with Internet, the current
networking systems usually suffer from the attack of Internet
hackers. In addition to normal or regular packet data, wireless
communication devices also frequently receive packet data sent by
vicious Internet hackers, such as packet data requesting for
scanning communication ports. Such vicious packet data is useless
for users but the processor must be frequently waken up to process
such vicious packet data, and it would result in shortened
hibernation time for processor and accordingly, further result in
poor power saving effect. That is, the wireless communication
device is not in use but the processor thereof always maintains in
the operating state instead of the hibernation mode, resulting in
unnecessary power consumption by the wireless communication
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore one of objects of the present invention to
provide a wireless communication device, a power saving method
thereof, and a packet filtering method therefor, so as to
efficiently extend the hibernation time of a processor of the
wireless communication device and accordingly reduce the power
consumption thereof.
[0006] To achieve the above and other objects, the wireless
communication device according to the present invention is for
using with a wireless network system, and includes a modem being
connected to the wireless network system for receiving or
transmitting at least one packet date and a data processor for
executing an application program to access network services via the
wireless network system. When a preset condition occurs, the data
processor generates network information corresponding to the
application program, and the modem then filters at least one
received packet data based on the network information.
[0007] Preferably, the network information includes a communication
port number or an Internet Protocol (IP) address.
[0008] Preferably, the communication port number recorded in the
network information represents a communication port being used by
the application program in data transmission, and the IP address
recorded in the network information represents an IP address of a
remote server with which the application program transmits data in
the wireless network system.
[0009] Preferably, the preset condition is that the data processor
is entering to hibernate mode, and the modem determines whether to
wake up the data processor based on a result of filtering the
packet data.
[0010] To achieve the above and other objects, the packet filtering
method according to the present invention is applicable to a
wireless communication device having a modem for receiving at least
one packet data and a data processor for executing an application
program. The packet filtering method includes the following steps.
It is determined whether a preset condition occurs. network
information corresponding to the application program is generated
when it is determined the preset condition occurs. The modem then
filters the at least one packet data based on the network
information.
[0011] Preferably, the network information includes a communication
port number or an Internet Protocol (IP) address.
[0012] Preferably, the communication port number recorded in the
network information represents a communication port being used by
the application program in data transmission, and the IP address
recorded in the network information represents an IP address of a
remote server with which the application program transmits data in
the wireless network system.
[0013] Preferably, the preset condition is that the data processor
is entering to hibernate mode, and the modem determines whether to
wake up the data processor based on a result from filtering the
packet data.
[0014] To achieve the above and other objects, the power saving
method according to the present invention is applicable to a
wireless communication device having a modem for receiving at least
one packet data and a data processor for executing an application
program. The packet filtering method includes the following steps:
(1) determining whether the data processor is entering to hibernate
mode; (2) generating network information related to the application
program when it is determined the data processor is entering to
hibernate mode; and (3) the modem filtering the at least one packet
data based on the network information so as to determine whether to
wake up the data processor.
[0015] Preferably, the network information includes a communication
port number or an Internet Protocol (IP) address.
[0016] Preferably, the communication port number recorded in the
network information represents a communication port being used by
the application program in data transmission, and the IP address
recorded in the network information represents an IP address of a
remote server with which the application program transmits data in
the wireless network system.
[0017] Preferably, the modem wakes up the data processor to process
a packet data when communication port number or IP address in the
packet data matches the network information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The structure and the technical means adopted by the present
invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best
understood by referring to the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings,
wherein
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication device
according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a table exemplifying network information employed
in the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the steps included in a packet
filtering method for wireless communication device according to the
present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the steps included in a power
saving method for wireless communication device according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Please refer to FIG. 1 that is a block diagram of a wireless
communication device 1 according to the present invention. As
shown, the wireless communication device 1 includes a data
processor 11, a modem 12, a memory 13, and an antenna 17. The
memory 13 is used to store digital data, such as an application
program 131 and an operating system 132 that can be executed by the
data processor 11, as well as data generated by the data processor
11. The antenna 17 receives radio wave 142 transmitted from any
base station 141 in a wireless network system 14, and converts the
radio wave 142 into an analog signal containing a packet data 121.
The modem 12 is electrically connected to the wireless network
system 14 via the antenna 17, so as to receive the packet data 121
from the base station 141 via the antenna 17 or to transmit a
packet data 121 to the base station 141. Preferably, the wireless
network system 14 is a WIFI system, a GPRS (General Packet Radio
Service) system, a 3G system, or other network systems for
wirelessly transmitting packets.
[0024] The data processor 11 executes the operating system 132 to
provide an environment for running the application program 131.
When being executed, the application program 131 may connect to a
remote server 16 via the wireless network system 14 for access of
network services. For example, the application program 131 can be
an instant messaging (IM) program, and capable of linking to an
instant messaging server while being executed, so that a user can
communicate with his or her friend over the wireless communication
device 1 by sending instant messages to each other.
[0025] When a preset condition occurs, the data processor 11
generates related network information 133 corresponding to the
application program 131, and the modem 12 then filters the packet
data 121 based on the network information 133. Preferably, the
preset condition can be that the data process 11 is entering to
hibernation mode. For example, when the data processor 11 has not
received any operating command for a time period which is counted
by a counter 111, and the count value exceeds a preset time value,
it indicates that the user has not operated the wireless
communication device 1 during the counted time and may not operate
the wireless communication device 1 in a short time, then the data
processor 11 will automatically enter to a hibernation mode to
reduce its power consumption. Before entering to hibernation mode,
the data processor 11 will save network information 133 related to
the application program which is currently being executed to the
memory 13. For instance, to do so, the operating system will detect
the currently being used communication port number 134 or the
Internet protocol (IP) address 135 of a remote server 16 currently
communicating with the application program. Then, the modem 12
starts filtering the received packet data 121 based on the network
information 133 and determines based on a filtering result whether
to wake up the data processor 11 that is currently in the
hibernation mode.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a table exemplifying some network information
that can be employed in the present invention. In the exemplary
table, there are shown nine groups of communication port number 134
and IP address 135 related to the application program. When a user
has not operated the wireless communication device 1 for a certain
period of time but does not close the application program, it is
determined the user wants the application program to keep linking
with the remote server 16 for use when the user operates the
wireless communication device 1 again. Therefore, when the data
processor 11 goes to hibernate to reduce the power consumption
thereof, the modem 12 receiving packet data 121 will wake up the
data processor 11 to process the packet data 121 transmitted from
the remote server 16 whose IP is stored in table shown in FIG. 2,
or the packet data 121 received via the communication port stored
in table shown in FIG. 2.
[0027] Some of the packet data are transmitted by Internet hackers
or some kind of virus program to request for, for example, scanning
the communication ports. The frequency for the modem 12 to receive
such hacker-transmitted packet data is high. The number of times of
waking up the data processor 11 will largely increase if the data
processor 11 were waken up each time a packet data is received,
including the hacker-transmitted packet data. As a result, the time
period during which the data processor 11 goes to hibernate is
shortened to lower the power-saving effect. Therefore, according to
the present invention, the modem 12 filters the packet data 121
based on the network information 133. For instance, when a
destination port number in the received packet data matches the
data recorded in the network information 133, such as a destination
port number 2578 that indicates the packet data is to be
transmitted to a second application program, the modem 12 will wake
up the data processor 11 to execute the second application program
for processing the received packet data. Or, when a source address
in the received packet data matches the data recorded in the
network information 133, it indicates the packet data is
transmitted from a server that was previously communicating with
the application program 131 and requires the data processor 11 to
process, the modem 12 will wake up the data processor 11 for the
latter to process the packet data and make proper response to the
server and accordingly maintain linking with the server. On the
other hand, when the destination port number and the source address
in the received packet data do not match the network information
133, the modem 12 will not wake up the data processor 11.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the steps included in a packet
filtering method according to the present invention. The packet
filtering method is applicable to a wireless communication device
that includes a modem for receiving at least one packet data and a
data processor for executing an application program. As shown, in a
first step S31 of the packet filtering method, it is determined
whether a preset condition occurs or not. If the preset condition
occurs, in a second step S32, network information related to the
application program, such as a communication port number that is
currently used by the application program or an IP address of the
received packet data, is generated. Then, in a third step S33, the
modem filters the received packet data based on the network
information.
[0029] Preferably, the network information, based on which the
packet data is filtered, is automatically generated by the wireless
communication device. However, it is understood some part of the
network information can also be manually set by a user according to
actual need.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the steps included in a power
saving method according to the present invention. The power saving
method is applicable to the wireless communication device 1
configured as FIG. 1, and the following description of the method
is based on an implementation of the method on the wireless
communication device 1. As shown, in a first step S41 of the power
saving method, it is determined whether an accumulated count by the
counter 111 exceeds a preset threshold value. If yes, it means the
user has not operated the wireless communication device 1 for a
quite long period of time, and accordingly, the data processor 11
is ready to go to hibernate to reduce the power consumption
thereof. In a second step S42, when the accumulated count by the
counter 111 exceeds the preset threshold value, the operating
system 132 detects and records the communication port numbers 134
that are currently used by all the application programs 131, and
then, the application programs 131 record the IP addresses 135 of
the remote servers 16 that are currently communicating with the
wireless communication device 1. In a third step S43, the data
processor 11 goes to hibernate under control. In a fourth step S44,
the modem 12 receives packet data. In a fifth step S45, the modem
12 determines whether the received packet data matches any of the
recorded communication port numbers 134 or IP addresses 135. If
yes, go to the sixth step S46 to wake up the data processor 11 to
process the received packet data; or if not, return to the fourth
step S44.
[0031] The wireless communication device, the power saving method
thereof, and the packet filtering method therefor according to the
present invention provide at least one of the following
advantages:
[0032] (i) Allow the data processor to have effectively extended
hibernation time to reduce the power consumption of the wireless
communication device;
[0033] (ii) The network information for filtering the received
packet data can be automatically generated by the wireless
communication device to provide the user with increased operating
convenience; and
[0034] (iii) Potential packet data containing computer virus can be
effectively filtered off to enhance the security of the wireless
communication device in use.
[0035] The present invention has been described with a preferred
embodiment thereof and it is understood that many changes and
modifications in the described embodiment can be carried out
without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention
that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.
* * * * *